Chithirai Thirunal.[Tamil New Year’s Day.]

Tamil New Year’s Day

During this “Sarvadhari” Tamil New year day, we wish prosperous and Happy life for all the people in the world. Chithirai is the first month of the Tamil New year. It was told that Lord Brahma began the creation of Nature and life forms on earth. New year celebrations originated during the Chozha period. A month long “Indira Vizha” was celebrated during his period. The tamil calendar, incidently, is exclusively based on the movement of Sun. Chithirai Thirunal is the time when Sun enters the Mesha veedu [Aries] the first among the twelve places present in the elliptical orbit. During the first month in the Tamil calendar year , the sun is in exalted status. Therefore Sun was worshipped on this day.

Tamil New Year was celebrated on this ela venil kaalam [Spring], which concurs with the time when Sun enters Mesha House.

It is our duty to perform the Tamil New Years day on the first day of Chithirai Month, which was originated from the Tamil Chozha period.
The Tamil calendar is also based on the movement of Sun, the supreme Power that fosters life and well being in the whole world.

Let us pray for the blessing of the Lord Sun by clicking the following link.

http://www.raaga.com/channels/sanskrit/album/S0000157.html


Puthandu Rituals In Tamil Nadu

People in Tamil Nadu follow some strict rituals in a belief to ensure well-being and prosperity of their families. The most popular tradition is to view Kanni at dawn with a hope to bring good luck. People start the day by watching some auspicious items like gold and silver jewelery, betel leaves, nuts, fruits and vegetables, flowers, raw rice and coconuts. Following the rituals, Tamils take bath, wear fresh clothes and visit the temples to pray for success in life. After this, Panchangam (almanac) is read.

New Year's day is a gala time for all Tamils. The main focus is on the food eaten on the day. 'Maanga Pachadi' is the pulse of the festival. It is a dish made of raw mangoes, jaggery, neem flowers which tastes sweet, salt, sour and bitter. This entails different colors of life. It depicts that life has to face everything from success to defeat. At the time of New Year festivities, a grand Car Festival also takes place at Tiruvadamarudur near Kumbakonam. At some places, Chitthirai festival is also celebrated. It is said on this day, Goddess Meenakshi got married to Lord Sundareswarar.

“Sarve Jano Sughino Bhavandhu” “ Let all people live Happily”